Christmas Eve with a surprise “gift box” from Etna that, after three months of relatively quiet eruptive activity, at 11 am on 24th December 2018 suddenly exploded.

From the top of the volcano – after weeks of small explosive and effusive eruption from some holes opened on the edge of the New South East Crater – a strong explosion threw a very high column of ash and debris in the sky, and the wind took it all over the Ionian Sea. The activity is still accompanied by powerful roars and a series of earthquakes that have affected the entire eastern side of Etna (with peaks above 3.0 Richter). Waiting for further information from the Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania, we will give you information on the evolution of the phenomenon and on the possible closure of the Catania airport. (Photo by Grazia Musumeci)